Terrorist Attack

The VCCCD Colleges, like any other school campus, could come under terrorist attack. Any individual or group that has both the motive and ability can perpetrate an act of terrorism. Terrorist events are intended to cause dam age, inflict harm, and possibly kill. Terrorists will go to great lengths to make sure the event has the intended impact. Experts generally agree that there are five categories of terrorist incidents: biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive. The acronym B-NICE is a simple way to remember these categories. Within any of these categories it is important to remember the four routes of entry: inhalation, absorption, ingestion and injection. The best emergency procedure for any of these categories is to minimize exposure to these four routes of entry.

What to do in the event of a biological, nuclear, or chemical terrorist attack:

Shelter-in-place until ordered to evacuate by campus officials.

Close all doors to the outside.

Close and Iock all windows.

Use tape, plastic food wrapping, wax paper, or aluminum foil to cover and seal fan grilles and other openings to the outside.

Ventilation systems should be turned off or set to 100% re-circulation so no outside air is drawn into the building.

Turn off all heating and air-conditioning systems and switch inlets to "closed" position.

Close as m any internal doors as possible.

If gases or vapors begin to affect your breathing, hold a wet cloth over your nose and mouth.

DO NOT use elevators. They tend to "pump" outdoor air in and out of the building as they travel up and down.

DO NOT panic or worry that there w ill be enough air to breathe. It is highly unlikely this would happen in norm al buildings.

Remember that the best emergency procedure is to minimize your exposure to biological, nuclear, or chemical agents through inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or injection (from flying projectiles.)